''Ninja Hero'' is a supplement for
Hero System
The ''Hero System'' is a generic role-playing game system that was developed from the superhero RPG '' Champions''. After ''Champions'' fourth edition was released in 1989, a stripped-down version of its ruleset with no superhero or other genre ...
, published by
Hero Games
Hero Games (''DOJ, Inc dba Hero Games'') is the publisher of the Hero System, a generic roleplaying rules set that can be used to simulate many different genres, and was the co-developer of the ''Fuzion'' system.
History
In 1981, George MacDon ...
.
Publication history
In 1989, Hero Game released ''Ninja Hero'', a 176-page softcover book designed by
Aaron Allston
Aaron Dale Allston (December 8, 1960 – February 27, 2014) was an American game designer and author of many science fiction books, notably ''Star Wars'' novels. His works as a game designer include game supplements for role-playing games, severa ...
, with cover art by
Jackson Guice
Jackson "Butch" Guice (born June 27, 1961) is an American comics artist who has worked in the comics industry since the 1980s.
Biography
Guice was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.. Retrieved March 21, 2008. Growing up in the 1960s, Guice was fond o ...
, as a supplement for the 4th edition of Hero System.
In 2003, the revised book, written by
Mike Surbrook, was released as a supplement to the 5th edition of the Hero System.
Contents
''Ninja Hero'' introduces rules for martial arts. In the 4th edition two dozen styles of martial arts are described, as well as 15 substyles of kung fu. This allows a player to create a character that specialized in one or more forms. Other subjects covered include:
* A system for designing new martial arts maneuvers.
* How to fight in enclosed spaces or in zero gravity.
* Lists of weapons and gadgets.
* Several scenarios.
The 5th edition book consists entirely of genre material, further subdivided by campaign style in addition to power level.
Reception
In the October 1990 edition (Issue 162) of ''
Dragon'',
Allen Varney
Allen Varney (born 1958) is an American writer and game designer. Varney has produced numerous books, role-playing game supplements, technical manuals, articles, reviews, columns, and stories, as well as the fantasy novel ''Cast of Fate'' ( TSR, ...
called the 4th edition book "an exhaustive treatise on martial arts as they exist both in reality and in free-wheeling kung fu movies." He thought the included scenarios were "among the best Hero Games has published." He concluded "If the topic interests you, see this one for yourself. The quality shines through."
References
{{Hero System
Hero System
Martial arts role-playing games